What are the types of mortgages?

February 9, 2019

Let’s talk about mortgages. When starting the home purchase process, start first by talking to a lender about getting pre-approved. A lender can discuss mortgage options that fit your specific personal needs, they will assist you in verifying what price range of home to look at in your specific budget, and take away the anxiety of “can I purchase my dream home when I find it?” Sellers want to know: Can the buyer making an offer on our home actually fulfil the terms of this purchase agreement and finalize the sale? Here are the different types of mortgage loans available: • ...

What does it mean to be a ‘Realtor?’

February 2, 2019

What does the word “Realtor” mean? It is used frequently and in general for all those individuals who hold a salesperson license issued by the Division of Real Estate. However, only licensed salespeople who belong to the National Association of Realtors, Ohio Realtors, and their local Board of Realtors can use the word “Realtor.” Being part of a Realtor organization means you are part of a professional organization and abiding to a specified set of rules and codes of ethics. A “Realtor” is held to a higher standard as they are required to obtain additional education ...

The amazing light of MLK

January 22, 2019

This past summer, my wife and I were blessed to visit Atlanta, Georgia. It was our goal to see the sights referring to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We were blessed to go to his birth house where we heard stories of how he did not like to take his piano lessons. We visited his eternal flame and gravesite where he is buried. We met and talked with some of the historians in the new King Center, which is a part of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site. We also visited Ebenezer Baptist Church, the church where he and his father pastored. It was a life-changing experience. I could ...

Parents should ‘cool it’

January 20, 2019

If you are the mother or father of a high school athlete here in Ohio, this message is primarily for you. When you attend an athletic event that involves your son or daughter, cheer to your heart’s content, enjoy the camaraderie that high school sports offer and have fun. But when it comes to verbally criticizing game officials or coaches, cool it. Make no mistake about it. Your passion is admired, and your support of the hometown team is needed. But so is your self-control. Yelling, screaming and berating the officials humiliates your child, annoys those sitting around you, ...

Explaining abbreviations, slang

January 19, 2019

Just like any other industry, business, hobby, etc. we use acronyms, abbreviations and slang to discuss aspects specific to those industries, businesses and hobbies. We assume, which we should not do, that everyone understands what we are talking about. So, during my year as president of the Warren Area Board of Realtors, I will try to share what some of these acronyms and abbreviations mean. The most common abbreviation, I am guessing, is the letters MLS. MLS, the Multiple Listing Service, is very important to sellers in marketing their real estate. Multiple Listing Service is ...

America’s Great Society requires great health

January 13, 2019

Over 50 years ago, President John F. Kennedy identified mental illness as one of America’s “most critical health problems.” The result was the Community Mental Health Act of 1963, one of the final pieces of legislation he signed before his death that year. We have made much progress since then. We better understand causes of mental illness, substance use disorders and other behavioral health problems and have scientifically established prevention programs that decrease the likelihood they develop. We have treatments that are more effective and better tolerated and a workforce ...